How Does Masonry Benefit Its Members

R. W. Fowler

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Oct 9, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/9/96

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The following is taken from a pamphlet printed by the Grand
Lodge of Ohio, "A way of life -- Freemasonry"

How Does Masonry Benefit its Members

Perhaps, it is best to point out initially that Masonry is not
an insurance or beneficial society; and it sets no political,
economic, or social goals.

Masonry is a fraternity whose primary purpose is to make good
men better. It is a character-building organization. It assists
a man in better knowing himself, and better understanding his
role in life.

Freemasonry is not a religion, even though it is religious in
character. It does not pretend to take the place of religion nor
serve as a substitute for the religious beliefs of its members.
However, many Masons acknowledge that Masonry has given them a
deeper relationship with God and helped them develop their faith.

Through its social activities, Masonry bulids fellowship,
often initiating lifelong friendships. Its activities and
teachings help strengthen the family unit. It helps build pride
and patriotism in our nation, and it promotes better citizenship.

A Mason who becomes active in the workings of his Lodge also has
the opportunity for much eprsonal development of management and
speaking skills.

A Mason acquires the sense of belonging to something that is
important, worthwhile, and personally rewarding.

The Teachings Of Freemasonry

Masonry teaches the Golden Rule. It seeks to improve men
through its firm belief in the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood
of Man, and the Immortality of the Soul.

The tenets of Freemasonry are ethical principles that are
acceptable to all good men. It teaches tolerance toward all
mankind. It dictates to no man as to his beliefs, either religious
or secular. It seeks no advantage for its members through business
or politics. Freemasonry is not a forum for discussions on
partisan affairs.

Freemasonry -- A Way of Life

Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business,
courtesy in society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the
unfortunate, resistance toward evil, help for the weak, love for
one another, and above all, reverence and love for God.

Freemasonry is many things, but most of all:

FREEMASONRY IS A WAY OF LIFE!

--
R W Fowler <fowl...@pinkinc.com>
Lockbourne Lodge #232 F&AM, Lockbourne OH

Sidey

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Oct 9, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/9/96

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fowl...@pinkinc.com (R. W. Fowler) wrote:
> Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business,
>courtesy in society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the
>unfortunate, resistance toward evil, help for the weak, love for
>one another, and above all, reverence and love for God.

This sounds like a style of life more people should adopt...is there
an FAQ or a site I can visit to learn a little more about Freemasonry?
I apologise for my ignorance.

;) Jamie

T. Lewis Dean

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Oct 9, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/9/96

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Jamie,
No need to apologise. There are many Grand Lodges with home pages that
have a FAQ site. My Grand Lodge in California does and can be located
at: http://www.freemason.org
Good luck in your quest.
Tom Dean,PM, Oxnard Lodge 341 F&AM
--
May Brotherly love prevail and every moral and
social virtue cement us.

R. W. Fowler

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Oct 9, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/9/96

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On Wed, 09 Oct 1996, "Sidey" <pa...@mail.sas.upenn.edu> wrote:
> fowl...@pinkinc.com (R. W. Fowler) wrote:
> > Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business,
> >courtesy in society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the
> >unfortunate, resistance toward evil, help for the weak, love for
> >one another, and above all, reverence and love for God.
>
> This sounds like a style of life more people should adopt...is there
> an FAQ or a site I can visit to learn a little more about Freemasonry?
> I apologise for my ignorance.
>

I snipped that from a Grand Lodge of Ohio pamphlet which explains
Freemasonry. I agree with you that more people should adopt this
life style. Yes, there is a FAQ file. I am not the one to ask about
WWW sites, because I do not have WWW access here, but there are a
number of Masonic WWW sites out there. And thank you for asking
questions. It's the best way to learn things :-)

Below is a quote from Bro. Mike Hall of a few days ago, written
for someone else, but applicable to your case as well.

--
R W Fowler <fowl...@pinkinc.com> Columbus OH

Lockbourne Lodge #232 F&AM, Lockbourne OH

On Sat, 05 Oct 1996, "Mike Hall" <theh...@elite.net> wrote:
> Dear Friend --
> An excellent starting point is the Freemasonry FAQ (Frequently Asked
> Questions). It is available by e-mail by sending a message to
> rog...@netcom.com with the subject SEND FAQ. There is also a Web
> version. Links to that and other pages with information on Freemasonry
> can be found by following the Freemasonry link on my homepage (URL
> below...)
> Another excellent way is by finding a Freemason and asking. Are
> there any friends of your Grandfather still around? Or look among your
> friends, acquaintances and co-workers for a Masonic ring, pin or bumper
> sticker. If that fails, look in the Yellow pages under Fraternal
> Organizations or similar headings and call a local Lodge and tell them of
> your interest. I bet they will be glad to put you in touch with someone
> who would be glad to talk about Freemasonry with you.
> Congratulations on beginning the search for the light. Please post
> on this board and keep us in touch with your journey! And feel free to
>post here or e-mail me if you have further questions.
> Mike Hall Master Mason Yosemite Lodge #99 Merced CA
>
>========================================================
>Wise men speak because they have something to say.
>Fools speak because they have to say something.
>========================================================
>I'll look at yours if you'll look at mine!! Visit me at:
>http://www.elite.net/~thehalls
>========================================================

A Freemason in Michigan

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Oct 10, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/10/96

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Sidey wrote:

> This sounds like a style of life more people should adopt...is there
> an FAQ or a site I can visit to learn a little more about Freemasonry?
> I apologise for my ignorance.

> ;) Jamie

Sure. go to http://ronb.rust.net/lodges/genesee-174/
from there you can read a FAQ and 2 explanations on what freemasonry is.

Kevin

--

__________________________________________________________________
Kevin Francart < arm...@tir.com >
Genesee Lodge No. 174 F. &. A. M. <Grand Lodge of Michigan>
Visit our Web Page at http://ronb.rust.net/lodges/genesee-174/
Valley of Bay City A.A.S.R. (NMJ)
Elf Khurafeh Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. (The Shriners)
National Sojourners Detroit Chapter No. 1
Clan No. 55 (MI Pine Ticks) Grand & Glorious Order of Hillbilly Degree
Flint, Michigan, USA
Disclaimer: The Opinions Expressed are my own and DO NOT necessarily
represent he views of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the
State of Michigan or any other Masonic Body or Individual Freemason.

John F. Losey Jr.

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Oct 10, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/10/96

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Sidey (pa...@mail.sas.upenn.edu) wrote:
: fowl...@pinkinc.com (R. W. Fowler) wrote:
: > Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business,
: >courtesy in society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the
: >unfortunate, resistance toward evil, help for the weak, love for
: >one another, and above all, reverence and love for God.

: This sounds like a style of life more people should adopt...is there

: an FAQ or a site I can visit to learn a little more about Freemasonry?
: I apologise for my ignorance.

: ;) Jamie

If anyone is interested, we have a copy of the alt.freemasonry FAQ at the
Daylight Lodge WWW Site as well as a great deal of other information about
Masonry. Feel free to check us out. That URL is:
www.eskimo.com/~daylight

John Losey

--
John F. Losey Jr.
LOS...@CWU.EDU LOS...@TAHOMA.CWU.EDU
HOME PAGE: HTTP://tahoma.cwu.edu:2000/~loseyj

Mike Hall

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Oct 10, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/10/96

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In article <53gs1s$5...@netnews.upenn.edu>, pa...@mail.sas.upenn.edu
(Sidey) wrote:

> .is there
> an FAQ or a site I can visit to learn a little more about Freemasonry?
> I apologise for my ignorance.

Don't apologize for ignorance ... only if you allow ignorance to go unsatisfied!
There is an excellent Freemasonry FAQ available by e-mailing
rog...@netcom.com with the subject SEND FAQ. There are also many
excellent Freemasonry web pages, including the FAQ, "What is a Mason" and
the "Short Talk Bulletins" as well as many Lodge, Grand Lodge and
individual Mason pages. You can access all of these through my home page
Freemasonry link (address below).

Dan Sale

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Oct 10, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/10/96

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> Perhaps, it is best to point out initially that Masonry is not
>an insurance or beneficial society; and it sets no political,
>economic, or social goals.

But the members do, and always have ; they become involved in
politics and work towards the continuing of the established masonic
republic. The initiated act towards goals in life therefore bringing
about a change in social and political climate.

Roger Ingersoll

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Oct 11, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/11/96

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Sidey (pa...@mail.sas.upenn.edu) wrote:
: This sounds like a style of life more people should adopt...is there

: an FAQ or a site I can visit to learn a little more about Freemasonry?
: I apologise for my ignorance.

There have already been several plugs for my auto-email-reply for the FAQ
so I will blub my WWW page.

There is lots of information on Freemasonry, answers to the religious
attacks on the fraternity and my little list of famous Freemasons on
Freemasonry on the Internet at http://www.chrysalis.org/masonry.

PS: Also check out the elongated penny available on the pages.

Roger

jou...@srmason-sj.org

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Oct 11, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/11/96

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Another source of information is on the Scottish Rite, SJ, USA website.
http://www.srmason-sj.org

A FAQ of sorts is at
http://www.srmason-sj.org/council/4info.htm

Eugene Goldman.·.

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Oct 11, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/11/96

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Much like the "religious right" whackos who are always trying to remake
the world into the vision THEY have for it, forcing THEIR beliefs and
opinions on the innocent.
People sometimes do things they shouldn't, huh?

Br.·. Gene

Dave Kellogg

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Oct 15, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/15/96

to Dan Sale

Dan Sale wrote:
>
> > Perhaps, it is best to point out initially that Masonry is not
> >an insurance or beneficial society; and it sets no political,
> >economic, or social goals.
>
> But the members do, and always have ; they become involved in
> politics and work towards the continuing of the established masonic
> republic. The initiated act towards goals in life therefore bringing
> about a change in social and political climate.

Mr. Sale,

I will remind you that the freemasons do not promote a political agenda.
It is true that individual members become involved in the political
process, but I have yet to see the masonic republic that you speak of.
Individual freemasons pursue their political beliefs as is their right
under our system of government. The masonic fraternity as a whole
endorses no political party, organization, or canidate.

I will also point out that you and your associates as members of churchs,
religious organizations, or political parties bring more change about
than do the freemasons. Even if freemasons were advancing some political
agenda(which they are not), it is their constitutional right to do so.
This is a fact that you seem to forget.

Sincerely,
Dave Kellogg
Patriot Lodge No.33 F.&A.M.
Hinesburg, Vt.

celebris gl 5120 st

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Oct 15, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/15/96

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> This sounds like a style of life more people should adopt...is there
> an FAQ or a site I can visit to learn a little more about Freemasonry?
> I apologise for my ignorance.

;) Jamie

No apologies necessary! If you never ask, you never know!

You are welcome to browse:
http:\\www.freemason-ga.org
for information about Freemasonry in general, and Freemasonry in Georgia.

Sincerely,

Joe Keyes
PM Duluth Lodge #480 F&AM Georgia USA
Webmason for www.freemason-ga.org
Sysop-"HIRAM'S LIGHT-The Masonic BBS" (770)476-5834
e-mail: 73052...@compuserve.com
===============================================
The opinions expressed above do not reflect the official
position of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, F&AM,
Duluth Lodge #480 F&AM, or any other body.
===============================================

george helmer

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Oct 15, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/15/96

to Dan Sale

Dan Sale wrote:

> But the members do, and always have ; they become involved in
> politics and work towards the continuing of the established masonic
> republic. The initiated act towards goals in life therefore bringing
> about a change in social and political climate.

So what is wrong with having a society where morals, values and ethics mean
something, where you can trust your fellow man.

Is this the "Masonic Republic" you speak of......

BTW, take your Prozac.......

Peter C.

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Oct 17, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/17/96

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Greetings from a mason from downunder. About all I can offer is that
freemasonry can give you as much as you put in to it. Like every
organisation you get the slackers, but they don't stay around long.
Not wanting to sound to silly, but the biggest step for any journey
is the first one. I think you have just made that step. Good luck
Be a man of good standing and your half way there
Cheers
Peter